Lead Teacher - ECC

YMCA of The Inland Northwest•Spokane, WA

5d•$0 - $18

About The Position

The Lead Teacher supports the YMCA’s mission of strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The role directs the classroom setting and develops creative program plans for children, promoting positive rapport and shared interests while engaging with families about children’s progress. The Lead Teacher cultivates relationships with children, families, and co-workers; leads purposeful, developmentally appropriate programming; follows licensing, Early Achievers, YMCA, ADA, and safety standards; and helps maintain records, the classroom, and program equipment. The position also involves family conferences, family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training. The role requires an Early Childhood Education Certificate, or willingness to obtain one within five years of hire, as well as prior experience working with children in a developmental and diverse setting. The employee must meet specified health, background-check, and training requirements before or after starting. The work includes frequent exposure to communicable diseases and disinfectants, lifting and carrying children, and interacting with children in stationary and upright positions.

Requirements

Have, or be willing to receive, an Early Childhood Education Certificate within five years of hire.
Previous experience working with children in a developmental, diverse setting.
Ability to plan, organize, and implement age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate program activities.
Before the first day: negative TB test from within the past six months and MMR vaccination.
On the first day of hire: registration in DCYF MERIT, Blood Borne Pathogens training, and application for a portable background check.
Within 30 days of hire: Child Abuse Prevention training, First Aid/CPR certifications, Food Handlers Permit, and 30 Hours Basic Training or an educational exemption.
Understand that the YMCA is a public accommodation committed to inclusion and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Ability to develop positive, authentic relationships with people from different backgrounds.

Responsibilities

Build positive relationships with children, families, and co-workers, supporting each child’s learning and success.
Lead the assigned classroom by supervising, designing, and delivering engaging, nurturing, purposeful programming.
Follow Washington State DCYF licensing, Early Achievers, YMCA, ADA accommodation, procedural, and safety standards.
Conduct ongoing, systematic observations and evaluations of children and support maintenance of required program records.
Communicate with parents and caregivers about children’s needs and progress, conduct family conferences, and connect families to the Y.
Maintain the program site, equipment, and classroom cleanliness and organization to provide a prepared learning environment.
Attend and engage with children, families, and co-workers at family nights, program activities, staff meetings, and staff training.
Demonstrate the YMCA’s Four Character Development Principles: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Benefits

Family YMCA membership with program discounts.
Paid sick time accruing at one hour for every 40 hours worked.
Medical, dental, and vision-related coverage is not specified; medical and dental insurance are offered.
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical or dependent care.
Long-term disability and life insurance.
Ten paid holidays per year.
Paid vacation accruing at 7.66 hours per month, starting at 11 days per year.
Early Learning Child Care: $400 per month for infant or toddler classrooms and $300 per month for preschool classrooms.
Up to two hours of Child Watch services per day, per child, while the employee is on site and working.
Flexible schedules.
Retirement plan with an 8% employer contribution after two years of service, subject to working at least 1,000 hours in each anniversary year.
Some required training is free or YMCA-sponsored.